Dust Bunny: Bryan Fuller Reveals Influences Behind New Mads Mikkelsen Horror Movie

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Bryan Fuller, the mind behind Hannibal, aspirates that his first directorial film, titled Dust Bunny, not only provides amusement for the audience but also establishes itself as an ideal introduction to horror for beginners. The movie follows Aurora (Sophie Sloan), a 10-year-old girl who believes a monster dwells beneath her apartment floors and consumed her parents. She recruits her enigmatic neighbor, a hitman by trade, to aid in the slaying of this menacing rabbit. However, it becomes apparent that this fluffy, eerie creature has more than just an insatiable hunger.

As a follower, I had the opportunity to chat with Fuller just a day after the TIFF Midnight Madness premiere of “Dust Bunny,” a film set to hit theaters on December 5th. Labeled as a family-friendly horror, this whimsical and macabre movie might draw some of its unique appeal from a troupe of playful Mogwai creatures.

Fuller mentioned that the summer of ’84 was filled with numerous delightful aspects. Everyone was excited about ‘Ghostbusters,’ a film he enjoyed as well. However, the family-centric story of ‘Gremlins’ stood out for him, especially the portrayal of the mother character. Alone at home with the monsters, she transforms from a seemingly ordinary housewife into a ‘final girl.’ What sets her apart is her resilience and resourcefulness – she didn’t just grab one knife but found another and even used household appliances like a microwave and blender as weapons. This made her character unique within the genre, as she proved to be more than just vulnerable, showing great determination and grit.

He goes on to say, “That part of the movie is genuinely terrifying with a touch of holiday cheer thanks to Christmas cookies and explosive Gremlins. It’s a unique blend that allows you to laugh, scream, and feel fear for the protagonist’s life. Our runtime is identical to Gremlins. During my discussions with editor Lisa Lassek, we emphasized on the efficient narrative of this film. There’s no unnecessary content; it’s lean and tight. The script strikes emotional chords. You grow attached to these characters. We decided to maintain a clean 1 hour and 46 minutes runtime, learning from Joe Dante’s approach.

Initially, the beginning of “Dust Bunny” doesn’t plunge headfirst into horror. Instead, that particular segment has a vibe reminiscent of “Big Trouble in Little China,” setting it apart from other movies. The film is a genre-bending masterpiece, with Fuller delighting in combining various influences and visual elements to create something unique and eclectic.

Fuller shared his affection for the movie “Big Trouble in Little China,” stating, “I believe John Carpenter creates fantastic films. In my opinion, his masterpieces include ‘Halloween’ and ‘Big Trouble in Little China.’ I initially dismissed ‘Starman,’ thinking it wasn’t like ‘E.T.’ But after watching it, I realized it was beautiful, unique, and touched me in a different way. Without a doubt, ‘Big Trouble in Little China’ is one of those films.

In his words, “The Coen Brothers, Barry Sonnenfeld, and Barry Sonnenfeld individually were a joy to work with during the creation of ‘Pushing Daisies.’ I can’t help but notice that there are elements from ‘Pushing Daisies’ in it, such as shots reminiscent of John Carpenter’s ‘Halloween,’ complete with the iconic mask. There’s a nod to ‘Jaws’ with Roy Schneider sitting at the front of the boat, and when Mads rises from the bathroom floor, it’s similar to that scene. It’s fascinating to collaborate with film enthusiasts who instantly recognize references like ‘Jaws,’ allowing us to build upon these shared understandings. The movie also incorporates numerous genre influences, such as the chaos reminiscent of ‘Gremlins.’ I believe that on an emotional and stylistic level, we emulate ‘The City of Lost Children’ and ‘Delicatessen.’

Dust Bunny officially premieres on December 5th.

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2025-09-12 22:40